Councilors choose Donna Bogan to fill Ward 6 council vacancy

Wednesday

Aug 6, 2014 at 3:15 AM

By Liz Markhlevskayalmark@fosters.com

ROCHESTER — City resident Donna Bogan was selected Tuesday as the newest city councilor for Ward 6. Bogan is filling the seat of former Councilor Mac Kittredge, who resigned in June because he moved to a different ward.

Bogan, of Page Street, took her oath of office after being unanimously appointed by council members to the Ward 6 Seat A council position. Tara Paradis, of Winter Street, had also expressed interest in the position, but was not selected by the council.

On Tuesday evening, both candidates introduced themselves to the City Council. Bogan stated she has lived in Rochester for the past 25 years, and in Ward 6 for the past 12 years. She currently works at the a technology coach at the Chamberlain Street School. She said her employment at the school gives her opportunities to meet a variety of residents from her ward.

“I am interested in becoming more involved,” Bogan told the council. “I would like to be on the team (promoting) Rochester’s growth.”

She said she approaches issues from all angles, and does plenty of research before making decisions.

Bogan will serve on the council until the next municipal election, in November 2015, at which time she may choose to seek re-election.

Paradis, who works for the N.H. Air National Guard, is a young homeowner who has lived in Rochester for almost six years. On Tuesday, she told council members that although she lives on Winter Street, which she described as a rough area, she knows there are good people in the city and she would like to help them. Although Paradis received no votes by City Council members, Mayor T.J. Jean thanked Paradis for expressing interest in the council position. He also welcomed Bogan to the City Council.

Although the City Council position has been filled, the vacant School Board seat for Ward 6 remains vacant. The city is currently accepting statement of interest forms for the seat that was left vacant by Pat Carroll, who resigned for personal reasons in June.